Mercedes-Benz GLC200 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

Mercedes-Benz has tweaked its popular GLC mid-size SUV line-up by dropping the base GLC220d diesel SUV and Coupe variants and introducing a new entry-level GLC200 petrol model.

The new range opener will be offered in the GLC SUV only but not with its GLC Coupe twin, and its price tag of $61,990, excluding on-road costs, lowers the price of entry to the line-up by about $5500.

The previous range opener was the base diesel GLC220d from $67,500, or $78,500 in four-door Coupe guise, but Benz has discontinued these variants in Australia.

The new entry price to the SUV line-up means the base version is more affordable than some of its rivals, including the Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 petrol ($65,900), Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro design ($65,900), BMW X3 sDrive20i ($66,900), but it is still pricier than the Volvo XC60 D4 Momentum AWD ($59,990) and the Land Rover Discovery Sport Si4 SE ($60,225).

Benz's new baby is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 135kW/300Nm and paired with a '9G-Tronic' nine-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. It is the only GLC variant not offered with '4Matic' all-wheel drive.

Hitting showrooms in September this year, the GLC200 will be offered with standard gear that includes automatic parking with a 360-degree camera, an automatic tailgate, 'Audio 20' entertainment system with a 7.0-inch colour display and touchpad control, satellite navigation, digital radio, media interface with smartphone integration, keyless start, electric front seats, black ash wood trim, 'Artico' upholstery, LED headlights, 'Active Parking Assist', 'Dynamic Select' driving mode selector and 19-inch alloy wheels.

In terms of safety the GLC200 is offered with nine airbags, 'Pre-Safe' accident anticipatory system, 'Collision Prevention Assist Plus', 'Attention Assist', and blind spot monitoring.

Benz has also upped the pricing by between $800 and $1389 on all SUV and Coupe variants, excluding the fire-breathing AMG63 S 4Matic flagships that maintain their pricing of $164,900 for the SUV and $171,900 for the Coupe.

The GLC250d SUV is up by $800 to $74,000, while the spicy GLC43 SUV is now $103,500 or $111,000 for the Coupe, representing a $1389 increase.

Benz launched the GLC SUV in late 2015, before the GLC Coupe lobbed in November 2016. It was an instant hit for the German premium car-maker, and was the best-selling offering in the premium medium SUV segment in its first full year of sale, 2016, with 4454 sales, outpacing the Land Rover Discovery Sport by just 22 units.

Last year the Disco Sport beat it with 4547 sales to 4109, but both remained ahead of the BMW X3 (3671) and Audi Q5 (3364).

Is Mercedes' GLC range more appealing now that it is offered in cheaper GLC200 guise? Tell us what you think in the comments below.